Biography of John C. Connors

Entrusted with an important public service, the care of the funds of Owyhee County. John C. Connors is proving himself an efficient officer as well as a leading businessman of Silver City. The greater part of his life has been passed at the place which is now his home, and for many years he has been actively connected with its mercantile interests. A native of California, he was born in Placer County, on the 10th of February, 1859, a son of Peter Connors, who was born in County Galway, Ireland, in July, 1822, and came to the United States in 1846, when a young man of twenty-four years. In 1852 he went to California by way of the Isthmus route and at times made considerable money in his mining ventures, but lost much of it in other mining speculations. In 1866 he came to Silver City and for about thirty years was successfully engaged in mining and stock-raising in Owyhee County. In 1875 he devoted his energies to mining and milling and also conducted a dairy at South Mountain. In 1882 he located a ranch on Trout creek, where he resided until 1896, when he came to Silver City and retired from active business life. He now makes his home with his son John. He was married in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 10, 1849, to Miss Mary Dimond, also a native of County Galway, Ireland. who departed this life on the 1st of February, 1880, leaving a husband and family to mourn her loss. They had seven children, five of whom are yet living.

John C. Connors was the fifth in order of birth. He spent the first seven-years of his life in his native state, and then came with his parents to Silver City, where he acquired his education in the public schools. After putting aside his textbooks he began to earn his own livelihood, and has for some years been numbered among the leading and influential businessmen of the community. For some years he was successfully engaged in the stock-raising business, but in 1888, in partnership with Timothy Shea, he opened a meat market at Silver City, and the Owyhee Meat Company, which was then organized, conducted shops at this place and also at De Lamar, George W. Bruce being the other member of the firm at the latter place. Mr. Connors has conducted his business in a most honorable and upright manner and in consequence has now a very liberal patronage, enjoying the leading business of the kind in this part of the County. His efforts, however, have not been limited to one line of endeavor. He is an enterprising and resourceful businessman, who having made judicious investments in real estate is now the owner of several houses in Silver City. He also has eight hundred acres of land in Pleasant Valley, where he raises two hundred and fifty head of cattle, while his fields are largely planted to hay for the use of his stock.

Mr. Connors was married on the 30th of April 1 89 1, Miss Alice McMahon becoming his wife. She is a native of Owyhee County and was a daughter of Patrick McMahon of Silver City, now deceased. One son has been born of this union, Daniel P., who is the joy of his parents’ home. In his political associations Mr. Connors is a Democrat, having supported that party since obtaining the right of franchise. The first public office he held was that of County commissioner, to which he was elected to fill the unexpired term of T. Shea. In 1896 he was elected County treasurer and so acceptably filled the office that he was made the nominee of the three parties at the succeeding election. This fact is certainly a High testimonial of his efficiency and also indicates in an unmistakable manner his personal popularity. He is an active member of the Ma-sonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows lodge, has filled most of the offices in both organizations and is past master of the blue lodge, past high priest of the chapter and a member in good standing of Idaho Commandery, No. 1, K. T. His life exemplifies the noble principles of the craft, and his brethren of the order hold him in the highest esteem. In his business dealings his course has ever been marked by probity and fairness, while in public life patriotism and loyalty to duty are his chief characteristics.